Biography Amos Ferguson

Following is The New York Times obituary of Amos Ferguson, by William Grimes, October 29, 2009

Amos Ferguson, a folk artist known for his brilliantly colored Bible scenes and his depictions of the social rituals and the flora and fauna of the Bahamas, died on Oct. 19 at his niece’s home in Nassau. He was 89.

The death was confirmed by Dr. Erica James, the director of the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas.

Mr. Ferguson, a house painter by trade, did not turn to art until he was in his 40s, when, as he told the story, a nephew came to him and related a dream he had just had. Jesus, the nephew said, came out of the sea with a painting in his hands and said Mr. Ferguson was wasting his talent for painting.